February 28, 2025 (Cornwall, ON) – On Tuesday, February 25, 120 students from across the Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB) showed off their skills at the Eastern Ontario SKLZ Competition, clinching a total of 26 gold, silver, and bronze medals, with 11 individuals and teams advancing to upcoming competitions.
The annual competition is held at St. Lawrence College (SLC) in Cornwall in collaboration with the Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario and SLC. Approximately 190 participants from both school boards across the region showcased their skills in 14 different trades. The UCDSB had representation from 14 out of 22 secondary schools.
The first and second place winners of Welding, and the top UCDSB finishers in TV/Video will advance to a provincial qualifier in Kingston on April 5. The top UCDSB students in all other categories except Environmental and CAD Design are advancing to the Skills Ontario competition to be held in Toronto in May.
The carpentry and cabinet making competition is planned for March 5 at the Carpenter’s Union in Ottawa. The top individuals and teams from the event will also advance to the provincial competition in May.
While winners can go to the next level competition, they may choose not to. The invite then goes to the next in line.
UCDSB results from the SKLZ Competition are as follows:
2D Animation
Gold – Vivian MacKenzie, Perth District Collegiate Institute (Advancing to Skills Ontario)
Silver – Allissa Frizell, Smiths Falls District Collegiate Institute
Bronze – Morgan Walker, Perth District Collegiate Institute (Advancing to Skills Ontario, partnering with Vivian)
3D CAD
Gold – Brycen Michaud, Tagwi Secondary School
Silver – Trevor Backes, Seaway District High School
Bronze – Charlie McCarthy, Cornwall Collegiate & Vocational School
Bronze – Burke Thompson, Tagwi Secondary School
Aesthetics
Bronze – Bella Sells, Smiths Falls District Collegiate Institute (Advancing to Skills Ontario)
Automotive
Gold – Ben Osborne, Glengarry District High School (Advancing to Skills Ontario)
Silver – Skylar McDonald, Glengarry District High School
Bronze – Dylan Kitts, Tagwi Secondary School
Floristry
Gold – Heidi Zihlman, Vankleek Hill Collegiate Institute (Advancing to Skills Ontario)
Silver – Izzie Lavinge, Cornwall Collegiate & Vocational School
Bronze – Candence Lalonde, Cornwall Collegiate & Vocational School
Grade 9 Doghouse Build (Team of 4)
Gold – Charlie Steele, Hannah Rodger, Mayank Nadigar & Tyson Densmore Nadeau, Vankleek Hill Collegiate Institute
Hairstyling
Silver – Chloe Kirkman, Cornwall Collegiate & Vocational School (Advancing to Skills Ontario)
Job Interview
Gold – Alex Moussa, Cornwall Collegiate & Vocational School
Silver – Katie Crites, Tagwi Secondary School
Photography
Bronze – Alisander Schwendemann, Vankleek Hill Collegiate Institute (Advancing to Skills Ontario)
Small Engines
Gold – Theo Pedherney, Rideau District High School (Advancing to Skills Ontario)
Silver – Darren Gregoire, North Dundas District High School
Bronze – Gavin Slack, Perth & District Collegiate Institute
TV / Video
Bronze – Abigal MacLennan, Tagwi Secondary School (Advancing to Provincial Qualifier)
4th Place – Wyatt Brown & Gail Tanguay, Russell High School (Advancing to Provincial Qualifier)
Welding
Gold – Trystan Lindahl, North Dundas District High School (Advancing to Provincial Qualifier)
Silver – Lucas St. Denis, Cornwall Collegiate & Vocational School (Advancing to Provincial Qualifier)
Bronze – Jack Swain, North Grenville District High School
For more information or inquiries, please contact:
April Scott-Clarke
Manager of Communications
Upper Canada District School Board
[email protected]